Unsaid Studio Teases Launch of Colourful Animated Short "Panchita!!"

Apr. 20, 2023

Creative studio Unsaid Studio has released the 60” version of its 5’ animated short, "Panchita!!", for TECHO, an NGO which builds homes for South American families. The film, which is currently on the festival circuit and has already won Short to The Point’s Best Animation Short, is set for wider release on World Habitat Day (October 2nd).

A drive for change to help combat poverty in informal settlements in South America, "Panchita!!" is based on a true story. The vibrant animation tells the tale of a South American girl who unearths a magical old VCR showing Shirley Temple’s "The Little Colonel". Inspired, she discovers her calling: to tap dance. Guided by an unexpected supernatural friend and mentor - based on philanthropist Bojangles - she looks for stable foundations to support her dreams.

The story is based upon a video from a TECHO volunteer, who documented a little girl’s joy at getting a new floor - a huge and essential development for her. From there, the animation and the cause snowballed, with companies and artists alike falling in love with its potential, inspired by the artwork and opportunity to give back.

Unsaid Studio then faced the balancing act of remaining respectful to the cause while depicting the story in an entertaining and uplifting way. They decided to tackle it through the analogy of needing a floor to follow a tap dancing dream, paralleling the much larger issue of lacking stable conditions upon which to build a future. Unsaid Studio then embarked upon the task of conveying this narrative in an understandable way with no voice over or dialogue.

Ensuring authenticity throughout the process, Unsaid Studio championed young South American creative talent in the building of the project. To offer a creative complement to the technical crew, the team also brought on a Brazilian oil painter, teaching him the 3D software from scratch so he could lend a spark of artistic personality to the animation. The final toy-like set encourages the idea that the audience can reach into the scene and build a model home there themselves, mimicking their ability to make physical change through TECHO.

Doug Bello, Founder and Director at Unsaid Studio, commented: 

"This was a great opportunity to make not only an enjoyable movie, but also a real difference. Telling real stories with a human touch is a passion and a key motivator, and it was possible thanks to a number of important collaborators. The artists were so excited to get involved, jumping at the chance to help with more intensity than any other project I've seen."

 

He added: 

"Maxon was an essential 3D software company that gave us all the necessary licences using their package of softwares. The online review tool software SyncSketch was also a big help for reviewing every step of the animation, especially the character animated shots. Wacom supplied us with pen tablets to help the artists draw and animate the short, and Jawset gave us a licence to use their software to make digital smoke. Finally, I’d like to thank GarageFarm, without whom we would not have been able to finish the film in time for festivals. Scenes that were taking a whole day to render were done in a single hour in their farm."

 

Bruno Borges, former CEO of TECHO US, commented: 

"Our goal was to increase awareness about TECHO's impact and inspire young people to become changemakers. When we bring youth from the US to Latin America to build houses for families in need, we frequently come across stories like the one that inspired the creation of ‘Panchita!!’."

 

Ana Testa, Director of Marketing and Partnerships at TECHO US, added: 

"The experience of building a house for a family in need is transformational: it helps young people see the world through a new perspective, and not take for granted the fortunate life they have in the US. We were incredibly lucky to partner with Unsaid Studio and have their talented team help us tell that story. We hope ‘Panchita!!’ can inspire a new generation of young changemakers."